Wednesday, November 11, 2009

On warm summer evenings years ago, my sweet boys would be outside playing with friends in the neighborhood. Sometimes they would be down the street at another home, but most times they would congregate in the cul-de-sac beside our house and play ball.

When it was suppertime, I would open the front door and call their names or wave a signal for them to come inside. If they were down the road, a phone call to a neighborhood mom would usually suffice.

Depending on the evening’s menu and the degree of stomach growling, my boys would usually race to get inside. None of them ever just stood around and waited in the yard.

They knew that if they wanted to eat, they had to come in and not just stand outside waiting for me to bring them something. Dawdling rarely happened because - as we mothers of sons all know - in a growing boy’s stomach mind, hunger wins out over friendship every time.

My boys knew that in order to eat, they had to come inside to the table. Momma loved them bunches, but she sure nuff wasn’t bringing the meal outside to them. They could not stand in the yard and be fed.

In the story of the prodigal son, the Father has a feast prepared for His returning child and the son comes in to partake of it. His older brother balks at this...

The older son had been out in the field. But when he came near the house, he heard the music and dancing.So he called one of the servants over and asked, "What's going on here?"

The servant answered, "Your brother has come home safe and sound, and your father ordered us to kill the best calf."The older brother got so angry that he would not even go into the house.

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thoughts:

I have read and re-read the story of the Prodigal son many times in my Christian life.. I have walked in the shoes of the father and of the 'good son" and of the prodigal son. When we open our hearts as we read there are so many dimensions of this love story..... How awesome how the Holy Spirit brings us depth and teaching when we walk through the word. I have been the prodigal and I have been the good son and now I am the father shielding my eyes watching for my son.... How I love the word......

I loved your story and picture of this truth. It reminds me of a man who would come and stand near the open windows at the mission church, but he would not come in, though he was invited many times. Come and dine, says the Master!God bless you today, Karen.

"standing in the yard"--great visual Karen. I've been at the table for a long season, but every now and again, there comes a season when I choose the yard over the fine dining inside for a variety of reasons. Never a good idea...

Awesome post! How many times did I "wait in the yard" to learn that if I want some of mamma's pork chops and gravy I had to come in and sit at the table....Tuesday blessings to you ...Loved this post! Excellent!